The most obvious starting points when we come to talk about reunions has to be Carcass and At The Gates, who returned from hiatus without missing a beat to produce albums that stood worthy in their canons. Yet what neither behemoth managed to do though, and Surgical Steel (Nuclear Blast) in particular is a fantastic record, was exceed that which they had laid down before. In that respect at least, you can chalk up a victory for Tulsa’s The Agony Scene and their triumphant return with Tormentor (Outerloop).

From the second that ‘Hand Of The Divine’ races out of the speakers, a flailing maelstrom of metallic aggression, a marker is not just being laid down, but underlined and reinforced. The Agony Scene is not just back, there is a genuine enthusiastic vitriol in their veins this time around. This is no jolly, no getting back together for “old times sakes”. This is the sound of a band with the experience and knowhow to write and record the material they want to, but with the hunger that several years of being away from the scene brings. Actually, fuck hunger, ‘Like Weeds In The Field’ is utterly Walking Dead ravenous.

The Agony Scene are often described as metalcore, but this not only sells their sound incredibly short, but is an insult to the devastation they bring. Take the violence and intent of The Black Dahlia Murder and add the blackened glee of Skeletonwitch to the seething anabolic rage of Anaal Nathrakh and you’re much closer to the truth. Of course, there is a ‘core influence at heart, but when ‘The Ascent and Decline’ highlights a black metal soul, discordantly (though sans symphonic frippery) nodding towards Death Cult Armageddon (Nuclear Blast)’s cold, blasting hate, you know this is an eminent lesson in violence The Agony Scene are dealing out. And they still manage to save the best for last, with the excellent ‘Mechanical Breath’, a churning, blackened anthem, closing matters most cruelly.

Achieving that most wonderful of sweet spots that marries aggression with a ferocious contemporary production, flawless percussion, saw-toothed riffing, feral ripped-throat savagery and memorable hooks, Tormentor sees The Agony Scene return at the very top of their game.

8.0/10

STEVE TOVEY